| Six of the bandits quickly surrounded Fred and Astra, whilst the other
four urged their horses up the bank to try to catch Rift and Tarin. Even
two warriors of Fred and Astra's calibre could not hope, unarmed, to overcome
six armed men, so they just stood and waited. "Who are you?" asked the
bandits' leader. "I am Fred and the lady is Astra," said Fred. He left
it at that, feeling it might be unwise to reveal just which Fred and Astra
they were. "Well then, Fred, give us your valuables, and if I'm in a good
mood I might just let you go free." "We have none," said Fred. "That's
what they all say," smiled the man. "People seem to think that out here
in the wilds we won't have heard of money-belts and the like. Bill, Harry:
search them."
Fred and Astra submitted to having searching hands run over them, which Astra in particular did not enjoy, but she knew that to resist would risk death. The men found nothing, of course. Another man searched the horse's saddlebag, which contained only provisions. The warcharger was a handsome animal, and the brigands must have expected a good haul. Now they looked puzzled. "Oh, well," said their leader. "At least the horse should fetch a good price. Now, what am I going to do with our two captives?" Before anyone could reply, the sound of horses was heard, and the four men who had gone after Rift and Tarin could be seen returning...
|
With Rift and Tarin as their prisoners.